Difficult River is a collection of original poetry created by Martin A. Bartels. Constructive critique and comments are welcome. All work is copyrighted. Thanks to the great folks at 'Verse Wisconsin,' 'Poetry24,' the 'Found Poetry Review,' and 'The Rumpus' for publishing my work, and to everyone who has offered support and encouragement.

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Wednesday, April 27, 2011

A Good Day's Work

I admit now to defeat by the relentless onslaughtof a full laundry basket, leading its attack employing a strategy that places, on opposing flanks, last night’s dishes stacked menacingly in the sink near the window overlooking my yard succumbing to weeds.

I would resolve all of these matters intently,and still have left the energy to make love.That would be a good day’s work.

I am sometimes paralyzed by a blank page, a blank canvas, and the two or three paintings left unfinished in the closet for more than a year. Forget entirely any attempt to repair the car engine, rewire electrical outlets, or fix plumbing (the last foray being comically disastrous).

I would learn the trades of a dozen artisansand still enjoy a night at the ballet. That would be a good day’s work.

Solitude is impossible for me to bear for more than a day or two, but I require that day or two regularly to preserve my sense of faith.This thing called a career baffles me, being a person of many interests and almost as many professions; it’s not the work that defeats me, rather it’s the needto wake up and answer the question “Is this all?” with an emphatic “No.”

I would consider it a good day’s work to wake up smiling, or if not smiling at least not as a grumpy, aging bastard.

When I punch the clock, shortly after a simple breakfast of toast, homemade jam, and a pat or two of soft-ripened cheese, I would walk perhaps three miles in silence by a small river, my two girls beside me while they are still young enoughto hold my hands without a hint of self-consciousness.

I would teach them something worth remembering.That would be a good day’s work.